WBALTV 11
Reservoir High School among finalists in Seize the Day Challenge competition
by Megan Pringle
www.wbaltv.com/article/reservoir-high-school-among-finalists-in-seize-the-day-challenge-competition/18676199
FULTON, Md. --Students at Reservoir High School need help. Some students are finalists in a competition called Seize the Day Challenge. A mad rush to vote is going on at the school, as students and faculty alike hope a video students made will win a national competition.
"I think everyone was actually shocked just because so many submissions were put in," senior Julia Yoon said. "When we found out we were finalists, no one could really believe it. It was surreal."
They're national honor music society students, and it was their teacher who encouraged them.
"I stumbled across Playbill's website and saw they had this challenge called Seize the Day Challenge, and it's about making positive change in the community," music teacher Greg Knauf said.
The students had 90 seconds to explain the positive work they do in the community. They do a lot by collecting instruments and running food drives.
They also organize things like a holiday gift drive for The Other Bucket, a group that helps young people with cancer.
"It shows how powerful students can be," sophomore Allison Allston said.
The hope is that their hard work pays off. A win is great for the school, and the prize is pretty exciting.
"It would be amazing. Well, a couple of things would happen (if we won). One, we would be the first amateur theatre to get to perform 'Newsies,'" theater teacher Jessica Binder said.
It's now down to five schools, and the competition is down to the wire. The deadline is Sunday, and voting ends at 11:59 p.m. People can vote as many times as they want.
"We ask anyone who can vote unlimited times please do so, and just know that voting for us is a vote for students in the community and supporting the arts in public schools," Binder said.
LINKS:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In the News,
The Baltimore Sun
'Cinderella' brings magic to Reservoir High stage [Fulton/Highland]
By Chuck Gait, chuck.gait@gmail.com 301-854-0867
3:45 p.m. EDT, April 3, 2014
"Cinderella," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the creators of "South Pacific" and "The Sound of Music," is coming to the Reservoir High School stage.
Brought to you by the Reservoir High School Drama and Music Departments, this production features all the memorable scenes you remember and love — the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the music and more.
It will take you back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "Impossible/It's Possible," "In My Own Little Corner" and "Ten Minutes Ago".
Performance times are April 4 at 7 p.m., April 5 at 7 p.m., April 6 at 2 p.m., April 10 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.seatyourself.biz/reservoir and the cost is $12 for adults, $9 for students and senior citizens. The running time is approximately two hours. Remember, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't be late.
Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/lisbon-fulton/ph-ho-n-highland-0403-20140326,0,1855401.story#ixzz32w41bSV4
___________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News: Baltimore Sun Highland/Fulton:
Reservoir High stages Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'
By Chuck Gait, chuck.gait@gmail.com 301-854-0867
November 15, 2012 | 5:43 a.m.
"The 39 Steps", a hilarious slapstick comedy based on the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name, is being performed at Reservoir High School by the drama department on Nov. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium and, then again on Nov. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m.
You can purchase the tickets on-line at http://www.seatyourself.biz/reservoir or at the door — $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens.
A lot of work goes into these productions. In addition to their regular classes (and maybe some extracurricular activities too), the student actors need to learn their lines, learn their stage movements, rehearse, etc.
The production crew, made up of students, teachers and parents, needs to design and build the sets, coordinate stage movements of the set pieces, set up the scenes, etc. If the production has a score, then that has to be coordinated with the music department.
All of this falls on the shoulders of Jessica Binder, the drama teacher and show director at Reservoir. Jessica herself is a product of the Howard County public schools. She chooses challenging shows, ones that stretch the talents of her students. She has very high expectations for the students.
And, Jessica's influence is felt beyond the walls of the schools, to the parents of her students (past and present). She has inspired them to continue on past the graduation of their children by volunteering for various committees, build sets, etc.
Jessica is just one more example of the talented and dedicated teacher/mentor that we have at Reservoir High School. Thank you, Jessica. One more thing — her mom and dad still reside in the county and attend every show.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News:
Howard County Times
'The Wedding Singer' has a great reception
News From Highland / Fulton
By Chuck Gait
chuck.gait@gmail.com
301-854-0867
Posted 4/01/10
Danny Singer, as Robbie, sings along with Sarah Landy, as Julia, during one of the performances of "The Wedding Singer," brought to the stage by the Reservoir High School drama department. (Submitted photo)
From all accounts, the latest stage production at Reservoir High School was a smashing success. This year, the kids performed the musical, "The Wedding Singer," a hit Broadway musical based on the movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
According to Sandy Postman, the student actors, stage crew and orchestra performed like pros. Kudos to Jessica Binder and Greg Knauf who, according to Sandy, "directed the performers with a passion that was contagious."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News: Howard County Times
High School Theater: Cappies don the masks of comedy and drama
Posted 12/04/08
Matt Summers as Huck Finn is inspired by the choir singers led by Stephanie Odom at right in the recent Reservoir High School staging of "Big River." (Photo by Brian Donnelly)
Curtains rose and fell on the latest round of high school drama entries in the on-going sixth annual Critics and Awards Program, nicknamed the "Cappies." A key element of the Cappies program provides for reciprocal student reviews. As space allows, Patuxent Publishing is running a sampling of these student writings.
Below are three more student critiques, followed by the reviewer's name and school. For information on the Cappies program and the spring awards ceremony, go to www.cappies.com.
Reservoir went with the flow of 'River'
Growing boys are notorious for getting into all sorts of trouble. However, faking death, working with con artists and aiding escaped slaves are over the top even for a lawless teenager. In Reservoir High School's recent production of "Big River," these escapades and more were followed in the life of America's favorite rowdy youth: Huckleberry Finn.
Based on the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, "Big River" was written by Roger Miller in the early 1980s. The musical follows Huckleberry Finn, a roguish teenage boy who refuses to be "civilized." Though Huck wants to escape society, being kidnapped and forcibly held in an isolated cabin by his father is not the best alternative.
Fearing for his life, Huck fakes his own death and escapes his father's wrath. He soon encounters Jim, a runaway slave, and the two decide to head to the north. They set off on a raft down the Mississippi River and, along the way, encounter moral dilemmas, confounding characters and danger as their friendship and understanding grow despite racial restrictions.
Bringing the sarcastic style of Mark Twain into the world of musical theater could be a recipe for disaster, but the cast met the task with enthusiasm. In the role of Huck Finn, Matt Summers performed exceptionally, from his melodious vocals to his incredible emotional range.
As Huck's traveling companion, Jim, Austin Antoine's depth of feeling was stunning, yet his naivety brought light-hearted comedy to his scenes. Summers and Antoine worked wonderfully as a duo, harmonizing beautifully during duets and responding sincerely to each other in dialogue. Their bond showed the racial issues of the time melting away as they grew closer on the Mississippi.
Supporting characters added energy to the show and helped create Huck's vivid world. Colin Parker as Tom Sawyer used his big personality to bring comedy and spunk to the stage.
As Pap Finn, Mark Kelly was terrifying, yet his drunken rants were a source of much amusement. The devious duo of the Duke and the King were played by Eric Meehan and Ryan Dorson, respectively. The comic villains played well off each other and exhibited hysterical mannerisms. Also notable were Liz Savopoulos as Mary Jane Wilkes and Sha'Niesha Brown as Alice's Daughter. Savopoulos created a paragon of feminine charm, while Brown dazzled the audience with her rich, soulful voice.
The set was simple enough to be moved quickly, yet detailed enough to convincingly create the various places Huck and Jim visit on their journey. The stage crew should be commended for their quick and seamless scene changes. A translucent curtain used against the back wall added depth to the stage and allowed for more complex blocking.
Before the show began, Mark Twain himself warned that if anyone tried to find a moral to the story, they would face dire consequences. Despite this threat, the audience could not help learning from Huck and Jim as the two put their faith in the big river and rode its back to freedom.
-- Kelsey Schneider,
Notre Dame High School
Reservoir High School among finalists in Seize the Day Challenge competition
by Megan Pringle
www.wbaltv.com/article/reservoir-high-school-among-finalists-in-seize-the-day-challenge-competition/18676199
FULTON, Md. --Students at Reservoir High School need help. Some students are finalists in a competition called Seize the Day Challenge. A mad rush to vote is going on at the school, as students and faculty alike hope a video students made will win a national competition.
"I think everyone was actually shocked just because so many submissions were put in," senior Julia Yoon said. "When we found out we were finalists, no one could really believe it. It was surreal."
They're national honor music society students, and it was their teacher who encouraged them.
"I stumbled across Playbill's website and saw they had this challenge called Seize the Day Challenge, and it's about making positive change in the community," music teacher Greg Knauf said.
The students had 90 seconds to explain the positive work they do in the community. They do a lot by collecting instruments and running food drives.
They also organize things like a holiday gift drive for The Other Bucket, a group that helps young people with cancer.
"It shows how powerful students can be," sophomore Allison Allston said.
The hope is that their hard work pays off. A win is great for the school, and the prize is pretty exciting.
"It would be amazing. Well, a couple of things would happen (if we won). One, we would be the first amateur theatre to get to perform 'Newsies,'" theater teacher Jessica Binder said.
It's now down to five schools, and the competition is down to the wire. The deadline is Sunday, and voting ends at 11:59 p.m. People can vote as many times as they want.
"We ask anyone who can vote unlimited times please do so, and just know that voting for us is a vote for students in the community and supporting the arts in public schools," Binder said.
LINKS:
- Playbill's voting site
- Reservoir High School
- Reservoir Twitter (Twitter handle: @hcpss_rhs)
- Reservoir Music
- The Other Bucket Charity
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In the News,
The Baltimore Sun
'Cinderella' brings magic to Reservoir High stage [Fulton/Highland]
By Chuck Gait, chuck.gait@gmail.com 301-854-0867
3:45 p.m. EDT, April 3, 2014
"Cinderella," the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein, the creators of "South Pacific" and "The Sound of Music," is coming to the Reservoir High School stage.
Brought to you by the Reservoir High School Drama and Music Departments, this production features all the memorable scenes you remember and love — the pumpkin, the glass slipper, the music and more.
It will take you back to your childhood as you rediscover some of Rodgers & Hammerstein's most beloved songs, including "Impossible/It's Possible," "In My Own Little Corner" and "Ten Minutes Ago".
Performance times are April 4 at 7 p.m., April 5 at 7 p.m., April 6 at 2 p.m., April 10 at 7 p.m. and April 11 at 7 p.m.
Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.seatyourself.biz/reservoir and the cost is $12 for adults, $9 for students and senior citizens. The running time is approximately two hours. Remember, seating is on a first-come, first-served basis, so don't be late.
Read more: http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/howard/lisbon-fulton/ph-ho-n-highland-0403-20140326,0,1855401.story#ixzz32w41bSV4
___________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News: Baltimore Sun Highland/Fulton:
Reservoir High stages Hitchcock's 'The 39 Steps'
By Chuck Gait, chuck.gait@gmail.com 301-854-0867
November 15, 2012 | 5:43 a.m.
"The 39 Steps", a hilarious slapstick comedy based on the Alfred Hitchcock movie of the same name, is being performed at Reservoir High School by the drama department on Nov. 15 and 16 at 7 p.m. in the auditorium and, then again on Nov. 17 at 2 and 7 p.m.
You can purchase the tickets on-line at http://www.seatyourself.biz/reservoir or at the door — $10 for general admission and $8 for students and senior citizens.
A lot of work goes into these productions. In addition to their regular classes (and maybe some extracurricular activities too), the student actors need to learn their lines, learn their stage movements, rehearse, etc.
The production crew, made up of students, teachers and parents, needs to design and build the sets, coordinate stage movements of the set pieces, set up the scenes, etc. If the production has a score, then that has to be coordinated with the music department.
All of this falls on the shoulders of Jessica Binder, the drama teacher and show director at Reservoir. Jessica herself is a product of the Howard County public schools. She chooses challenging shows, ones that stretch the talents of her students. She has very high expectations for the students.
And, Jessica's influence is felt beyond the walls of the schools, to the parents of her students (past and present). She has inspired them to continue on past the graduation of their children by volunteering for various committees, build sets, etc.
Jessica is just one more example of the talented and dedicated teacher/mentor that we have at Reservoir High School. Thank you, Jessica. One more thing — her mom and dad still reside in the county and attend every show.
__________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News:
Howard County Times
'The Wedding Singer' has a great reception
News From Highland / Fulton
By Chuck Gait
chuck.gait@gmail.com
301-854-0867
Posted 4/01/10
Danny Singer, as Robbie, sings along with Sarah Landy, as Julia, during one of the performances of "The Wedding Singer," brought to the stage by the Reservoir High School drama department. (Submitted photo)
From all accounts, the latest stage production at Reservoir High School was a smashing success. This year, the kids performed the musical, "The Wedding Singer," a hit Broadway musical based on the movie starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.
According to Sandy Postman, the student actors, stage crew and orchestra performed like pros. Kudos to Jessica Binder and Greg Knauf who, according to Sandy, "directed the performers with a passion that was contagious."
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RHS Theatre In The News: Howard County Times
High School Theater: Cappies don the masks of comedy and drama
Posted 12/04/08
Matt Summers as Huck Finn is inspired by the choir singers led by Stephanie Odom at right in the recent Reservoir High School staging of "Big River." (Photo by Brian Donnelly)
Curtains rose and fell on the latest round of high school drama entries in the on-going sixth annual Critics and Awards Program, nicknamed the "Cappies." A key element of the Cappies program provides for reciprocal student reviews. As space allows, Patuxent Publishing is running a sampling of these student writings.
Below are three more student critiques, followed by the reviewer's name and school. For information on the Cappies program and the spring awards ceremony, go to www.cappies.com.
Reservoir went with the flow of 'River'
Growing boys are notorious for getting into all sorts of trouble. However, faking death, working with con artists and aiding escaped slaves are over the top even for a lawless teenager. In Reservoir High School's recent production of "Big River," these escapades and more were followed in the life of America's favorite rowdy youth: Huckleberry Finn.
Based on the novel "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" by Mark Twain, "Big River" was written by Roger Miller in the early 1980s. The musical follows Huckleberry Finn, a roguish teenage boy who refuses to be "civilized." Though Huck wants to escape society, being kidnapped and forcibly held in an isolated cabin by his father is not the best alternative.
Fearing for his life, Huck fakes his own death and escapes his father's wrath. He soon encounters Jim, a runaway slave, and the two decide to head to the north. They set off on a raft down the Mississippi River and, along the way, encounter moral dilemmas, confounding characters and danger as their friendship and understanding grow despite racial restrictions.
Bringing the sarcastic style of Mark Twain into the world of musical theater could be a recipe for disaster, but the cast met the task with enthusiasm. In the role of Huck Finn, Matt Summers performed exceptionally, from his melodious vocals to his incredible emotional range.
As Huck's traveling companion, Jim, Austin Antoine's depth of feeling was stunning, yet his naivety brought light-hearted comedy to his scenes. Summers and Antoine worked wonderfully as a duo, harmonizing beautifully during duets and responding sincerely to each other in dialogue. Their bond showed the racial issues of the time melting away as they grew closer on the Mississippi.
Supporting characters added energy to the show and helped create Huck's vivid world. Colin Parker as Tom Sawyer used his big personality to bring comedy and spunk to the stage.
As Pap Finn, Mark Kelly was terrifying, yet his drunken rants were a source of much amusement. The devious duo of the Duke and the King were played by Eric Meehan and Ryan Dorson, respectively. The comic villains played well off each other and exhibited hysterical mannerisms. Also notable were Liz Savopoulos as Mary Jane Wilkes and Sha'Niesha Brown as Alice's Daughter. Savopoulos created a paragon of feminine charm, while Brown dazzled the audience with her rich, soulful voice.
The set was simple enough to be moved quickly, yet detailed enough to convincingly create the various places Huck and Jim visit on their journey. The stage crew should be commended for their quick and seamless scene changes. A translucent curtain used against the back wall added depth to the stage and allowed for more complex blocking.
Before the show began, Mark Twain himself warned that if anyone tried to find a moral to the story, they would face dire consequences. Despite this threat, the audience could not help learning from Huck and Jim as the two put their faith in the big river and rode its back to freedom.
-- Kelsey Schneider,
Notre Dame High School
